Feed-water-supply regulator intended particularly for use with steam boilers



3 `sheets-s119131v HILLIER p *A a FEED- WATER SUPPLY REGULATOR INTENDEDA PARTICULARLY FOR USE WITH STEAM BOILERS July 22, 1930.

Filed July 5, 1928 FEED WATER SUPPY REGULATOR INTENDED PARTICULARLY FOR USE WITH STEAM BOILERS Filed July 5, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 22, 1930. I H. HILLIER 1,771,331

17 T 70E/VE K5 July 22, l930. H. HlLL'lER n 1,771,331

" FEED WATER SUPPLY REGULATOR INTENDED PARTICULARLY I FOR USE WITH STEAM BOLERS Filed July 5, 192e s sheets-sheet s /IV VE/V TOP 30 f resultant force actingon the valve causes the Patented July 22, 1930 HAROLD HILLrER, orWn'srivrnessuna;nounou,` ENGLAND y FEnD-WATnR-SUPPLY REGULATOR In'rrENDEDi PARrIcUnARLY ron-USE" WITH STEAM' Application iletl- Jilly- 53 1928, Serial No. 290,593f and in Great Britain `.l'uly 8",` 1927'.

This invention relates toapparatus or'eontrolling` the HOW of aliquid into a vessel` in accordance with the withdrawalA from the vessel ot the said liquid, either as a vapour or in its liquid state', and particularly to ap-1 vparatus in which the valve. admitting the liquid into the vessel is operated by liquid. pressure controlled by a float which rises and falls with the level of the liquid'in the-vessel.

In apparatus ofI the kind referred to, the said valve isusually provided with a piston which is sometimesthe same diameter as the valve and. sometimes larger in diameter than the valve. One side of the piston and the inlet side of the valve are arranged: to be subjected to the pressure ofthe liquid which is being` discharged into the vessel. The other` side of the pistonA is subjected to the pressure of the liquid in a, chamber into Which the liquid flows through alixed orifice or. the equivalent andV from Which chamber the liquid can flow to a place of lower pressure through. a variable opening which isv opened and closed by' an auxiliary Valve connected to and ,actuatedby the movement of the fica-t. Y y

When the iioat falls, the auxiliary valve closes-the variable opening, the-flow of liquid :troni the chamber ceases, and the pressure ovl' the liquid in the chamber rises until the valve tofopen and liquid flows into the vessel. When theioat rises the auxiliary valve opens the variable opening and the pressure inthe chamber is relieved, due to the flow of liquid from the chamber through the variable opening'. The relieving of the pressure on the face of the` piston in the chamber changesv the directionoi' the resultant force, causes the valvelto close and stopsl the dow of liquid into ther vessel;

Hitlierto, in apparatus? off the: deid n l; the variable opening through whichV the liquid flows has been arranged the statonary Walls ofth'efchamberairdimmediate lyl the pressure in the chamber rises` sutil cient-fly' tto-allow thevalveto open, the valve'.

ing, When the valve immediately closes and.

completely cutsofltheflow of liquid. into the Vessel. y i

The flow of liquid., into thevessels, theren ione, intermittent and'V occurs only when the level ofr theliquid falls below a` predetermined, level. when the valve is opened1 to its.-

fullV extent untillV the liquid level is restored@` flected in undesirable variations in. the pressure and the dryness of the vapour formed by: Y

evaporation.

o Further7 I have Vfound from experiment that the rate at which dry; evaporated liquid canV be formedf depends upon the-height between the level of the liquid andI the point at which the evaporated liquid is Withdrawn and that it is necessary to increase this: height as the" rate of evaporation is increased in order to prevent-drops of liquid being` carried over With the vapour `formed by evaporation.

The present invention is an. improved apparatus which automatically adjusts the rate at which the liquid flows into a vessel to correspond With the rate at Which the, liquid i and/or evaporatedf liquid is Withdrawn from the vessel, and causes the level of the liquid inthe vessel to fall automatically asthe rate oii evaporation is, increased'.`

For this purpose Iar'range the variable opening, as? a passage in thepiston, er other member attached to the" valve",l se that the piston andvalveg areconstralined hydraulicall-y to movelwith the"y auxiliary v'alve which' -is mechanicallyconnected t-'o and. actuated' 1 A the float yand controls, thef ,pressure in the chamber in. vvhicl'i the. pistonimove'stthe valve being.r closed when the; float' isE at a,v prede"-` the Hoa-tis. 'ata 'predetermined low' liquid -temnined high liquidA level,i fiill lopen when liquid supply, exceptunder the control of theV level and proportionally open When the float is at an intermediate liquid level.

The pressure in the chamber may be the result of a flow of liquid into the chamber through the passage in the piston under the control of the auxiliary valve and a fioW of liquid from the chamber through a fixed orilice, or I may arrange for the pressure in the chamber to be the result of a flow of liquid into the chamber through a fixed orifice and a HOW of liquidv from the chamber through the passage in the piston under the control-of the auxiliaryvalve.

I may provide additional orifices to alloiv a flow of supplementary liquid vinto or out of the chamber, such orifices being provided with means for the ladjustment of the iiovv of supplementary liquid.

Further, I may arrange the shape or contour lofthe valve so that the area through the valve increases gradually from zero to a maximum as the float falls from the high level to the low level, or I may arrange the shape ofthe valve so thatl the rate at which the area through they valve increases is increased or decreased as thefloat falls from the high level to the low level. Y c

I have found that to enable thevalve to operate With a minimum difference between the pressure of the liquid supply andthe pressure in the vessel, or alternatively to obtain the Vmaxinnun force for a given difference between the pressure of the li'qi'iidsupply and the pressure in the vessel, it isnecessary to -obt-ainthe full Apressure of the liquid supply in the chamber in which the pistonmovesV For this purpose, in accordance with my invention, arrange for the liquid to flow into the, chamber through the fixed orifice, or the equivalent, and provide for the fioxv of liquid from the chamber through the passage in the piston under the control of the auxiliary valve. The liquid. flowing through the passage inthe piston passes into the vessel or I may arrange the passage in the piston to be in constant communication with other passages in the casing leading to place of lower pressure rsov as to Vallow the lio'uid flowing through 'the passage in the pi tonto flow freelyto the place of lowerpressure.

A'I'ocpreven't any possibility lof liquid leal:-

ing from the 'chamber to Vplace where. the pressure 1s lower than the pressure ofthe auxiliary valve, or` kthrough a supplementary orifice theflov.7 vthrough which can be adgnst-ed or stopped as desired, I may arrange at suitable positions between thechamberand any place of pressure lower than thepressure of the liquid supply, a space or spaces surroundinganvpartof the apparatus moving* into or outv of thefchamber, such Vas the piston or auxiliary valve, the: said vspace or spaces being placed in free communication With the liquid supply so Vthat the pressurein such space or spaces is substantially the same as that of the liquid supply.

Leakage from the chamber except through the passage in the piston is thereby prevented so that When the auxiliary valve closes the passage through the piston, the pressure in the chamber can rise until it is substantially the same as the pressure of the liquid supply.

In order that my invention may be more clearly understood and readily carried into practice thel same will now be more fully de scribed with reference to the accompanying drawings in Which the same numerals are Vused to denote similar parts.

F 1 is a sectional elevation of a boiler feed Water regulator with the piston arranged above the valve.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of a boiler feed Water VregulatorWith the piston arranged below and of the same diameter as the valve.

Fig. 3 is sectional .elevation of a boiler feed Water regulatorA With the piston arranged beloW and larger in diameter than the. valve.

Referring to Fig. 1, the regulator comprises a lio-at 1 which is secured to one end 0f a vlever 2 'to the4 other end of Which is at,- tached the auxiliary valve 3, the lever being being free to rotate about a fulcrum 4 so that the auxiliary valve 3 risesy When the float 1 falls and falls when the float 1 rises. The float 1 is arranged in a casting 5 Which is connected to the boiler 6 so that the float moves freely With the level of the Water in the boiler. The casing 9 of the valve 10 is mounted on the casting and the auxiliary valve 3 penetrates and terminates inside the casing 9.

Y The Wat-er discharged by the feed pump enters the casing 9 by the inlet branch 11 and, after passing the valve 10, flows through the outlet branch 12 into the boiler 6. The valve is extended to form a piston 13 of larger diameter than the valve 10, the piston 13 being arranged above the valve 10 so that it moves in a chamber 14 provided in the casingT 9, the space between the valve 1() and the underside of the rpiston 13 being subjected to the pressure prevailing in the boiler 6.

A passage 15 is provided through the valve 10 and piston 13 so that Water can pass from the inletbranch 11 through the passage 15 intovthe chamber 14. kThe auxiliary valve 3 is arranged so that it closes or opens the passage 15 as the float 1 falls or rises and thus controls the liow of water into the chamber 14. TVater escapesv from the chamber 14 through the clearance between the piston 13 and the casing9. -SA separate passage 16 is provided Yfor the flow ofl Water from the chamberflel and the area for the flow of Water h ough the passage 16 may be restricted as desired by the coclr 17. The flow of Water through theV passage 1G may be led to the boiler 6 as shown or, if desired,`to a plato ,Of lower pressure. i y

When the float (1) is at the predetermined high water level the auxiliary valve .uncovers thepassage (15) `water flowsinto the chamber 141v and establishes the pressure ot the feed pump dischargeon top of the piston 13, thus' holding the valve closed. VWhen the Water .level in the boiler 6 falls, the float l raises the auxiliary valve 3 until it Vcuts oil the Aflow of Water through the passage 15.-

The pressure in the .chamber 14l`is then re.- lieved by the leakage of Waterthrough ,the clearance between the piston 18 and -the casi ing 9, supplemented as desired bvleakege through the passage 16 and cock 17. lumiediately the pressure inthe chamber ll is relieved, the resultant "torce immediately opens the valve 10 and Water iows into the boiler 6,. The. valve 1.0 can'only open'tothc extent 4that the auxiliary valve 3 has beenv p raised by the float l otherwise the passage Aso 1 .5 would be uncovered, Water would flow into the chamber 1.4 the valve l would. com; mence to close. Asr the iioat l causes the auxiliary valvcf to 4risc and fall, thc volvo l0 is hydraulically constrained to movel with thc auxiliary valve so that forV any given water lovcl bctwocn thc predetermined high Water lcvcl and the prcdotcrmi-Ilodlow Water lcvcl.- .the auxiliary valve 3 and, therefore 'thc valve 1.0 takes `up a .corresponding 4position the valve being thereby opened by a prede;-

1 termined amount so that for any given rate of evaporation, the position of the valve 10 is automatically adjusted to allow a steady flow of water into the boiler corresponding to that rato ofcvaporation. l l

A hand ,operated spindle 18 is provided so that when desired the valve `10 can be treversevd throughout the length of its stroke in either direction. A locking VYhandle 19 is fitted to enablelthe spindle 18 to be locked in a neutral position, when desired7 so. as not to interfere with the automallperation of the valve 1.0. p. i 1

Referring to Fig. 2, the float 1 is arranged `in a casting?) `which isseparate `from the boiler but is connectedto they boiler by the lpipes 7 and 8 so that the level `ot Waterin the casting 5 is the same as ythe levelof the 'water' in the boiler. f The piston' 13 arrenged be;

flow thelvalve 1.0 and is the saine diameter as .the valve 10. VThe top of thepiston 13 and thc underside of thevalve ".10 arc Subject-cd to the pressure in the supply pipe' 11.v The Apassege' 15 through the piston 13 isalvvays in free communication vvilththe annule-r space 2@ andthe passage 2l ,arranged inthe ca -Sing Vfeed pun-ip suction orA the food taiihbya :suitable-pipo-ivhich is providedivith acocl Q3.

The stem of the valve'lO is prov-idedvvith. a 4 Skirt 24.: wlliCllflsevssroond the 'piston 13 an s annular space in free communication with r the feed 'Supply in the niet branch 1i i means o'f passage 26. Inlay ,arrange the auf branch llto the annularspace byali external plpeiAIl annular ,Space-27 is also provided in `the casing roundthe auxiliary valve ...3. andV is placed :in reecommnnicetion withthe cedjsupplyin the branch 11 bythe pipe or passage 28.- Water leelisiiitothe chamber 1d from the annularfspace 25 through the clearance between the piston. 13 and thcoosing 9v .and from thcannular spacel 27 round .the

auxiliary valve .3- el Supplementary .supply of Water may be allowed Ito-liowg. into the chamber le through the pipo 129,1.i1idcr .the

control of the cock 30. Watcnlcaks out of the .chamber-ld through the Passage 15 under the ,control of; .the auxiliary valve .32

When the loetl fallslfliomt o fprcdotorf mined high watcrlcvcl the flotilla-ry volvo closes the passage 15I and thev veter ,flow-ing into the chamber 14; increases thefplcssure until the pressure in thc chambcrllis in csf cess ofthe pressure in the Vboiler by the amount necessary'to lift theweight of :the a valve and `to overcome ifriction.;V When this pressure is. established the valve rises and allows Water to-fflovv intothe boiler. When the Water level in the boiler rises the float l lowers the auxiliary-volvo 3 until it uncovers the passage l5- 'Impressum :in `the cham# 'ber 14 is then .relieved by the `leakage` of Water throughthe .passage until-the gvailve 10 falls anclreduces the flow .of Water into theboilein p For any given Water levelibetweenltheple determine-d high Water level andthe. puede#r termined low, Water level, the` valve maintaincdin equilibrium in alioartielly open position corresponding `to the water level in the boiler.

Referring to Fig@ s the uoisftkin ,itis latticiin diameter and isarranged below the valve 'lhc Passage lthroush the Piston. 1.3`

isi-in free communication #with ltheboiler,

. When the .float l' falls, the auxiliarvvalve 3 .closes thc passage 1.5i and Water flows into the nular space Qin. the casi-ngi) dnd loOHIlcG-t .thc

Chambord/l through theclearsnoe rbetween pist-011MB) is-So este@ eronfbv l vet 1f..

. indicated by dot and dash lines asimilar tendency of liquid to leak from-the chamber (14) past the piston (13)' to the boilermay be restricted or preventedfby forming in the 'casing'` an annular space 31 placed in :free communication with the Vfeed supply Yin the branch'llby a'pipe 32.15The pressure of the liquid supplyin the annular space 31 would, when the communication 16 is led to a place of lower pressure, prevent a similar tendency'ot' steamV to leak-from the boiler past the piston l'tov the communication 16.

What I claim is: f j 1. Means Sforcontrolling theiiow of liquid into a vessel, comprising a main valvewith a piston Whichmoves in a chamber and a float operated auxiliary valve which controls the pressure in such vchamber characterized bythe fact thatthe auxiliary valve, which has a seat movable with the main valve is so arranged in relation to the main valve that a closing movement of thes'aid auxiliary valve causes an opening movement of the main valve and vice versa, the extent to which the main valve is moved vbeing `governed by the travel of the auxiliary valve, substantial- 1y as described for thel purposefherein'set forth.

2. Means for controlling the ow ofliquid into a vessel, comprising in combination `with such vessel, a valve casing having a connection 'leading to the vesseland a connection leading to the source'of liquid to be supplied thereto, a main. valve between said connections adapted to be moved hydraulically in both directions, a piston-like extensionupon said valve, a chamber in Whichj saidextension is adapted to move, such piston having a'passage opening' intothe chamberY` aforev said through which liquid can iiovvto vary theY pressure inthe'cha-mb'er, an auxiliaryY Vli() 'valve adapted 'to open and close such-pas-l sage at dierent vpositions'occupiedfby the.

main: valve audits-extension and aiioat` responsiveto variations of liquid level inl the vessel to which the vliquid is. tobe supplied and adapted to alter the position of the auxiliary valve in order to regulate theilo'iv of.y

liquid through the passage in the main valve extension and control the 'pressureV in' the chamber aforesaid, the said auxiliary valve opening as the float rises so that the main valve is thereby hydraulicallyconstrained to move yin closing direction and conversely closing, as the float falls so that the main valve Y is hydraulically constrained to open, substanl tially as described." j ,i a

3. Means for controlling the How of liquid into a vessel, according tovclaimf2,in which the opening of the Amain valve is'the result of the flow of liquid through a fixed 'oriiiceinto the chamber associated with the'main vvalve pis'- ton-like Vextension when the'uxiliary valve 'is closed and closure ofsaifdl main valve is the result of a flow of liquidl from the chamber through the passage in the said extension When the auxiliary valve is open.

4. Meansfor controlling'the flow of liquid into a vessel, according to claim 2, in which the opening of the main valve is the result of the'tlow of liquid through a fixed orifice into the chamber associated With the main valve piston-like extension supplemented by a ioW of liquid into such chamber through an additional orifice provided with means for `the adjustment of the supplementary flow of liquidand-closure of said mainvalve is the resultof a flow of liquid from the chamber through the passage in the said extension when the 'auxiliary valve is open.

5. Means ior controlling the flow of liquid into a vessel, according tov vclaim 2,in -which a space is provided around'the piston-like extension of the main valve, such space being in free communication with a place of pressure at 'or above the pressure in the vessel-and adapted toprevent leakage from the chamber associated With such piston-like extension, past such extension. I

A6. Means for controlling the ioW of liquid into a vessel, according to claim 2, in which a' space is provided around the piston-like extension oi the main valve, Said space bei ing in free communication With the liquid supply, so that the pressure in suchv space is substantially the same as the pressure of the liquid supply, thereby preventing leakage from the chamber associated vvith such pi'ston-like extension, past such extension'. y 7. Means for controlling the flow of liquid intoia vessel, according to claim 2, in which the auxiliary valve passesthrough a space in free communication with a .place of pressure at or above the pressure in the vessel and adapte'dto prevent leakage from the chamber associated With the piston-'like extension, past such 'auxiliary valve. y

V.8'. Means for controlling the flow of liquid in'to a vessel,'according to claim 2', in which the auxiliary valve passes through ya space ini free communication With the liquid supply sothat the pressure in such space is substantially the sameas the pressure of the liquid supply, therebypreventing leakage from the chamber associated wvith'the piston-like cxtension, pastsuch auxiliary valve.' l

9. Means for controlling the flow of liquid into a vessel, according to claim 2,'in which the piston-like extension ofthe main valve has passages formed therein adapted to remain in constantco'mmunication With other passages in the valve' casing leading' to a placel of lower pressure than prevails in the vessel and'through'whic'h passages the liquid leaking past 'the auxiliaryy valve canfiow.

Signed at' London', England, this 18thy day oiJune,1928.l f

` 1 HAROLD HILDIERY- 

